Food, Friends and Books

Hello fellow book lovers.  Our first BC meeting was a success.  We had wine (Rock Lobster Zin), an oven fiasco (not sure how but I blew out my oven with the last set of finger foods) and a great discussion on both what we want to read and Dickens.

On Dickens, we discussed the parallels to current events; at what point does social injustice rioting become mob mentality rioting?  Many felt there is a fine line between standing up against tyranny and using chaos to quell your own rage and revenge.  It is a good point and one I don't remember discussing in high school lit class.  Any additional comments on this point?

We also hit on the similarities between this story and others of the time - Dumas' "The Counte of Monte Cristo" came to my mind.  Was it common place to have mistaken identities back then or was this a successful "formula" for writers of the time?  Another interesting point I didn't remember discussing the first time around with this book.  Formulaic writing and fan bandwagons make for some interesting literature nowadays so it would make sense to see this in different eras.  Any thoughts or insight here?

Yes, there was symbolism in the book; yes, there were social points of the time; no, we didn't spend much time discussing either.  We did discuss the title "A Tale of Two Cities" and how it was both literal with the story moving between London and Paris and also symbolic with the difference in class; one city could be two depending on your class/social standing.

And now one to BC particulars.  Our next meeting is Friday, March 25th at 7pm CST.  I have set up a Skype account so our virtual friends can participate "in person".  Just look for BrewedBohemian or send me your account name.

Our next book - "A Vintage Affair" by Isabel Wolff (Listing on Amazon)

Please read the full book before our next meeting.  A note - we might string some books out over a few meetings; we will play it by ear for now.  Also, bring a food item inspired by the book.  (Virtual friends can just send a recipe to share with the group.) Let the nom-noms abound!!

We also need each person to present one book for a different genre at the next meeting.  This is how we will choose our books each month.  We currently have Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Food, Feel Good/Easy reads, and Mystery/suspense being presented next month.  We still need an Historical Fiction selection as well as other genres like Romance, Biography, Poetry and Non-Fiction.  Please let me know your selection if you do not already have one on the list.

We can use the comments to continue discussion of "A Tale of Two Cities".  You can also leave questions or comments for the group.

See you all next month!  And Happy Reading. ^_^

Another snow day bites the dust

Snow dogs, poetry and brew pub party updates are now uploaded over at my Moble Me site.  Beet soup, coffee cake and potato leek soup recipes coming shortly.  Make sure to check out the pizza hummus recipe I found on Espresso and Cream.

Doggie love abounds in the snow. ^_^

Wahoo for the book readers

Hello fellow book fans!  There have been great responses so far to the book club questionnaire.  I'm excited by the diversity of interests; and so far everyone is all about the food. :)  I'll leave the questionnaire open until the 23rd and will email the location to all those who have indicated they need an address for our first in-person meeting.

I have started re-reading a Tale of Two Cities and have to wonder - what was I thinking?  I obviously forgot how involved Dickens can be and alas this will not be a "fast read" for me.  I am having a blast moving outside my normal genre, though.  And I'm motivated to finish because you guys are reading it too.

Happy reading, Everyone.  May this week be the best of weeks and not the worst.

Books, books and more books

Hello!  This is a new blog page for me; I already have an established blog over on Apple's Mobile Me - Brewed Bohemian.  Unfortunately, it's not as user friendly as expected and does not search well.  It apparently doesn't do comments well either - sorry anyone who has tried to post!

While I plan to continue using Mobile Me as my main blog, I will post here when the subject appears "blogger" blog worthy and will set this up as an option for virtual participation in a monthly book club.  I have friends all over the place so a virtual option was the only way to go! :)

To get us started, the first meeting will be held both virtually and in-person.  The physical meeting will be held on 2/25 at 7pm.  Please email me at jdcareer74 (at) yahoo (dot) com for the address.  We will briefly discuss Charles Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities" which can be downloaded on most e-readers for free or can be picked up at Half Price Books for around $5.  Most of the meeting will be dedicated to the initial set up, though.

Below is a questionnaire for the first meeting; please take a few moments to fill this out if you are interested in participating.  (Bear with me as I learn how to use Google Docs, please!):